Services

Leonard B. Levine and Associates specializes in providing research and analysis regarding the North American crude oil and products pipeline system. Our research and monitoring services include the following:

Oil Pipeline Tariff Monitor Online Tariff and FIling Database


The OPTM Online Databases can streamline research on oil pipeline tariffs. We have made it easy to locate Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) filings and FERC tariffs so you can find information that meets your needs quickly. No other research service or online database can provide access to such complete information through a single portal.

Who Needs the OPTM Online Database:

  • Pipelines (Competitive Analysis, Tracking and Managing Tariffs and Tariff FIlings, Project Development)
  • Oil Pipeline Shippers (Competitive Analysis)
  • Law Firms (Litigation Support, Due Diligence)
  • Consultants and Financial Advisors (Project Development, Due Diligence)

What is Included in the OPTM Online Database:

  • All tariff filings since 1998 plus many earlier filings
  • Summaries of every tariff filing
  • Full-text copies of every currently effective FERC tariff and many canceled tariffs
  • Key information for every effective tariff and many canceled tariffs

Features of the OPTM Online Databases:

  • Simple to use
  • Search parameters can be set by the user
  • Searchable metadata includes tariff rate authorities and rules summary information
  • Filing Search results include links to complete filings through FERC's eLibrary
  • Tariff Search results include links to complete tariffs, plus governing and referenced tariffs through our own OPTM Online Tariff Library.
  • Results can be copied to your own application for further analysis.
  • Full text search of currently effective FERC tariffs.
  • Complete data on pipeline routes and rates, including fees and surcharges.
  • OPTM Tariff Check can eliminate costly errors in tariff filings.

The OPTM Online Tariff and Filing Database is available by annual subscription or for short-term use. For more information, please call us at 202-965-7300.

View a copy of the Filing Search Page (PDF)

View a copy of the Tariff Search Page (PDF)

Oil Pipeline Tariff Monitor (OPTM)


Approximately 150 oil pipelines file interstate tariffs under the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Keeping track of these filings can be extremely time consuming, but not tracking them can be costly. Tariff filings show what liquid pipelines are doing: increasing or decreasing rates, adding or dropping services, or changing ownership. The OPTM summarizes all of these filings and Commission orders into a concise and easy to use bi-weekly publication.

Who Needs the Oil Pipeline Tariff Monitor:

  • Anyone who can benefit from monitoring tariff filings and trends in oil pipeline regulation:
    • Pipelines
    • Shippers
    • Regulators
    • Energy Policy Specialists
    • Law Firms
    • Consultants and Financial Advisors

What is Included in the Oil Pipeline Tariff Monitor:

  • Comprehensive summaries of every tariff filing within the past two weeks
  • Updated list of tariff filings going back another 30 days so you can see if any additional action has been taken
  • Summaries of protests, complaints, requests for declaratory orders, rate indexing proceedings, and much more
  • Summaries of Commission action taken

Features of the Oil Pipeline Tariff Monitor:

  • Highlights the most important new tariff filings, protests, and Commission actions of the past two weeks
  • Includes links to eLibrary, FERC's document retrieval system, so that you will be within one or two clicks of the full text of each filing or issuance
  • Organized for easy use

Subscribe now, view a sample issue (PDF) of the OPTM, email, or call for additional information at 202-965-7300.

OPTM Updates


Same-day reports about Federal Energy Regulatory Commission actions taken on oil pipeline proceedings on the Agenda at each regularly scheduled Commission meeting. (Included with a subscription to the Oil Pipeline Tariff Monitor)

Special Reports for Subscribers


Recent Special Reports have included summaries of 2006 and 2007 Index Rate Adjustment filings, containing links to the filings as well as details of the rate changes. In addition, we prepared a report on pipeline service disruptions caused by Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita.

Financial and Operating Reports of Oil Pipelines (FERC Form No. 6 and 6-Q)


We have prepared complete lists of Form No. 6 filings for the last six years with links to PDF versions of each filing. Find the pipeline-specific financial or operating data you need quickly.

We can produce customized reports with data, including calculations, for specific pipelines or groups of pipelines. If you need this type of research, we can help you. Please call us at 202-965-7300.

Oil Pipeline Regulatory Studies and Tariff Research and Analysis


Need something else? We can also research tariff precedents or trends and we can help you with due diligence or litigation support. We can also provide expert advice and consultation on how to develop and regulate new pipeline infrastructure anywhere in the world.

OPTM Tariff Check

A simple error in a pipeline tariff filing can be expensive. It can cost $1000 or more in direct and indirect costs to file a correction supplement or to withdraw and re file a tariff. OPTM Tariff Check will find the most common tariff filing errors so you can fix them before you file.

With OPTM Tariff Check, you enter a few fields of data for each tariff you plan to file, including the tariff number, the proposed effective date, the estimated filing date, and some information about the purpose of the tariff. Tariff Check will test your entries using the OPTM Online Tariff Database and FERC's filing regulations.The results identify areas where we found no obvious problems and where there might be errors. It also offers some reminders regarding what needs to be included in the transmittal documents or in the proposed tariff, along with links to the relevant FERC regulations.

View a sample copy (PDF) of the OPTM Tariff Check input form.

For additional information, please contact us.